why's that? genuinely curious why you think they're better
tbone, thanks for the genuine question. Before I answer I want to make it clear that I have nothing but the greatest respect for your experience and the sound commentary you give to others:
The short answer, is that I don't think the Eon is better than the Petrel/Perdix (comment was slightly tounge in cheek) however I do consider them comparable, if slightly different.
Before I start, I think it's only fair that I give an insight to the usage I give my Eon, as every person generally has different requirements.
I just consider myself a recreational diver. That said this year I've so far completed just over 140 dives, and will probably complete another 30 before the year is out. I dive in tropical warm waters, so each dive is an hour. In that total their are no training or pool dives. Around 70 of the dives were made in 2 vacation trips so approx 35 repetitive dives per trip
Generally my dives are below the 30m mark (first dive of the day at least) more often than not though I can ascend along a wall rather than a square profile dive. Approx 12 dives this year have been planned deco dives using mixed gasses in the 30 - 50m range which is the limit of my qualifications (BSAC & PADI) I'm neiter Trimix nor CCR qualified
So hopefully all that will put my comments into context:
I don't believe there are any bad computers out there. People opinions differ on all sorts of aspects. Some prefer AA batteries and Bluetooth connection, others like a rechargeable battery and a cable. Both have their plus and minus points. Some want AI some don't, again nothing wrong with either option although proponents of both will focus on some minor detail to support their argument.
Price.. Well I've seen only $100 price difference between an Eon with transmitter and a Petrel 2. It depends on your territory of course. To some $100 is a lot to justify, but as I'm sure you'll agree by the time you get the level where you "need" one of these computers, that extra money has paled into insignificance when you add up how much you've spent on the additional gear to support the diving habit.
Conservatism is often cited. I don't find that the Eon limits me on conservatism. Sure it's more conservative on a Deco dive (set to mid point) than the BSAC tables, but the tables were developed by the Royal Navy on 20 yr old fit sailors, whereas I'm a 50 year old. I like the caution. On repetitive dives on Liveaboard, even the mid point setting gives me a longer run than the guides who are using a Zoop for instance. The Eon algorithm is it seems slightly different from their other products
I feel for computer manufactures where they have to take into account everyone. One day it might be possible to have an individual personalised Deco algorithm - but as we know, it's all a compromise based upon the best information (often debated) at the moment
When people come up with the statement about conservative computers I like to tell the about an incident I witnessed, where on the first dive of the day (previous dive the day before had been a 10m check dive) a diver took a DCS hit requiring a chamber visit. His dive had been to 22m max, run time of 40 - 45 mins and
diving a conservative computer. Nothing wrong with his profile. The major contributing factors were considered to be Dehydration and being over weight (he had 500+ dives and was part way through IDC).
You posted a gem a while ago (which should be pinned) Where you stated that:
"You change you GF settings (to more conservative) to reflect if you're feeling tired, had a bad nights sleep or a beer the night before" (something I do too).
The fact is that many many people don't understand this. They input the latest greats setting which their friends use or which is talked about on the internet. Very few users actually understand their computers, the settings and the implications of the settings.
We both know that equipment doesn't make the diver I've seen DIR compliant divers with all the gear kick up more silt than a dredger, and people with thread bare gear, years out of date who have skills to be envious of. However as in all walks of life people will focus on a brand because it's the "one to be seen with"
Finally I'd never suggest to a new diver to purchase a high end computer. get one with the basic functions. I know people suggest that they intend to become technical divers etc etc, but that's in the future, people change their mind their circumstanced change , and technology moves on...
I know the Shearwater is good, it was designed for a specific market, possibly it's becoming a victim of it's success that it is getting cult status. Would I buy one - perhaps if I was getting into more technical diving, but for the majority of users is it better or worse than the Eon? No. Each manufacturer has just taken a different approach.
